Sample Partnership Letter to a Business

Send a letter like the following to local businesses to attract them as partners in your neighboring efforts as early as possible, and include them with the planning of your project. Brainstorm with anyone you work with on what elements of your project need funding, supplies, assistance with real estate issues, etc. Don't forget to consider where you might find people with the critical expertise that can help you design and implement your project successfully. Once you've nailed down the building blocks of your initiative, you can more easily determine where you'll need help and who best to approach for it. Think about what businesses share the priorities your project has, and how your project's goal might match up with their company's goals. Ask yourself what value you can bring to a partner's work and make sure you include that consideration in your planning.

When reaching out to local businesses, approach them face-to-face wherever possible, and by letter if not. Ask someone who works with the business in question (a mutual friend, a grantee, a vendor who knows them, etc.) to make the request for you. Know that you have something great to offer them including publicity, improved employee morale, stronger customer relations, and a more positive image in the community. Local businesses can be especially helpful on projects that need quick turnaround since they may have less bureaucratic decision-making than large national organizations.

Reach out to nationally based corporations and try to engage the affiliate in your community with your appeal. Find the phone number of their headquarters by looking them up on the internet. Ask to get the name and correct spelling of the name of their person in charge of community relations. Address your letter to that person. Large corporations can see the same benefits as those mentioned for small businesses. The can also see how a partnership with you enhances their reputation and provides reasons to be proud of their company’s and their employees’ contribution. Larger companies may be better able to help with funding, provide resources or donations, or contribute employee volunteer time to your projects.

You can use these same ways of thinking when approaching nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, and other groups that share your interests in improving lives in your community.

Read a sample partnership letter .

Learn about how Pitney-Bowes worked with residents and other community partners to transform a tough neighborhood into an increasingly family-friendly place to live.

Find downloadable Web banners that you can use to share your information about your neighboring efforts and to attract volunteers and potential partners.